Diversidad funcional de plantas, aves y murciélagos integrantes de redes de dispersión de semillas en un gradiente de transformación del paisaje rural cafetero

Abstract

Functional diversity has been shown to be more sensitive than taxonomic diversity to land-use changes, making it essential to evaluate its multitaxon response to landscape transformation. In this study, we analyzed variations in the functional diversity of plants, birds, and bats within seed dispersal networks in a rural coffee-growing landscape, considering a transformation gradient represented by three scenarios: 1) forests, 2) forest fragments, and 3) agroecosystems.

To achieve this, we characterized morphological functional traits, established functional groups, and calculated single- and multi-trait functional diversity indices. The comparison between scenarios using a permutational analysis (PERMANOVA) did not detect statistically significant differences in overall functional diversity. However, a detailed analysis of the indices and functional group structure revealed patterns of dominance and loss of certain traits in the more transformed cenarios, suggesting a decline in the ecological functionality of dispersers, with potential negative effects on natural regeneration. This indicates that while agricultural systems retain some ecological functionality, land se change and reduced connectivity may compromise the resilience of seed dispersal networks and their associated ecosystem services.

Our findings highlight the need to integrate functional diversity as a key criterion in conservation and landscape management strategies. Understanding how species functionally respond to landscape structural changes enables the evelopment of more effective strategies to mitigate the effects of ecosystem transformation and promote the persistence of ecological interactions essential for forest regeneration and the maintenance of ecosystem services.